Klarinet Archive - Posting 000680.txt from 1999/02

From: "Mark A. Bradley" <markb@-----.com>
Subj: [kl] could I make it?
Date: Wed, 17 Feb 1999 01:13:27 -0500

Ms. Hooker,

Your situation is surprisingly the same as mine, and you saved me some
trouble of writing my own. Although I can't really give any advice to
you (I'll try), I have been benefitting from some of the great stuff
that others have written. To all who have responded, thanks, and soon
I'll have some more questions of the same nature.

If you want to major in clarinet performance the logical thing to do
would be to find as many opportunities to perform as possible. Since I
have decided to major in performance, besides the school band, i have
joined four orchestras and have applied for as many local honors groups
as possible, including Area All-State, all-county, etc, and I am sure
you have many of the same things. Two of the orchestras I play in are
part of a musical production and the pit orchestra can give you many
chances to perform on other instruments (in my case I have now expanded
my squeaking to those types produced by bass clarinet and alto
saxophone), which is certainly a plus if you plan to have a teaching certification.

Now, something I was wondering for myself, and which Ms. Hooker and many
others with this plan in mind may be wondering, is when to get the
degree for teaching and for performance. Taking them at the same time
would seem like an overload, not to mention finding a school that has
good programs for both. I would think that getting the teaching degree
first seems like the way to go, so if you have bad luck finding a
performance job you can give lessons or something to support yourself
(as far as $15 an hour can go). What logic applies to getting a
performance degree first and a teaching certification afterwards?

I would certainly appreciate if one who has followed the plan that
myself and Ms. Hooker hope to follow would recount their experiences and
what they did to get to their present state.

respectfully,
Mark A. Bradley
Chazy, NY

> This might be a dumb question to some.......but i am doing a bit of
> "soul searching." i want to major in clarinet performance in college and
> get the back up teaching certification just in case. My dream is to one
> day teach at a college or university. With all of the competition out
> there.......do i even have a chance? i am willing to work hard but what
> are the certifications i will need for this position and what are some
> good schools that i might consider. keep in mind that i live in Texas. i
> have made all-state band twice so hopefully that is a plus! Could anyone
> help me on this endeavor?
>
> musically,
> stephanie

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